SPINLOCK DECKVEST 5D

The 5D is instantly recognisable as one of the first lifejackets to have really innovated comfort and wearability, breaking away from the traditional flat design. The 5D is the latest iteration and includes a padded and contoured harness rather than just fabric webbing. The back length is adjustable and the chest strap has buckles at the front.

IN USE

Once you’re used to how the buckle works, it’s easy enough to do up and the front adjustment is easy, with the back adjuster pulling the back of the jacket away from the neck. In use it was well clear of shoulders for free movement. The body was comfortable and fairly flexible with few points to catch or snag.

IN THE WATER

The jacket inflates on the left side first, initiating the roll-over, as many of the jackets do. Even with full oilskins, the rotation time was just 5.8 seconds. It performed well on the rotation test for both Ali and Theo, coming third each time. It provided Ali with third best freeboard on test with 13cm, but came ninth for Theo. The symmetric bladder shape is relatively basic, however, and waves did funnel up between them.

A strap for the hood led to the front of the jacket, making it easy to pull on; the top sits on the head and the full hood hooks over the bladder. It didn’t have any support for the visor so visibility wasn’t great, but the spinlock pylon light kept this above eye level, as well as boosting visibility with the Lume-on lights that illuminate the whole bladder. The lifting becket was marked bright red and clipped to the front, making it easy to find and use.

The only lifejacket to come in three sizes, the back is also adjustable The bladder is fairly basic but the pylon light and Lume-on lights are great innovations The whole harness is well padded and neat with minimum snagging hazards

Designed to offer maximum mobility while worn, the clip-on cargo pouch is an optional extra